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Post by lynford1976 on Jun 7, 2024 16:24:16 GMT
One question: is Red Rose route 40 between Thame and High Wycombe tendered, or commercial? Thanks. It’s tendered. Thank you. One wonders if Go-Ahead may try and win the 40 when it next comes up for renewal, to create a through Oxford - Thame - High Wycombe route?
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Post by wirewiper on Jun 7, 2024 16:46:57 GMT
Thank you. One wonders if Go-Ahead may try and win the 40 when it next comes up for renewal, to create a through Oxford - Thame - High Wycombe route? Would there be much call for such a through route? The 275 between Oxford and High Wycombe via Chinnor has long been sparse (latterly four return journeys) and only positioning journeys now operate between High Wycombe and Chinnor. There is an alternative rail link, and certain Oxford Tube journeys now serve High Wycombe Coachway at Handy Cross.
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Post by sp17 on Jun 7, 2024 19:09:33 GMT
Thank you. One wonders if Go-Ahead may try and win the 40 when it next comes up for renewal, to create a through Oxford - Thame - High Wycombe route? Would there be much call for such a through route? The 275 between Oxford and High Wycombe via Chinnor has long been sparse (latterly four return journeys) and only positioning journeys now operate between High Wycombe and Chinnor. There is an alternative rail link, and certain Oxford Tube journeys now serve High Wycombe Coachway at Handy Cross. Wycombe will benefit from one bus company; far too many routes that could be merged into one. For example the 3/13/41 could be merged into one route to create a direct link between Castlefield and Great Missenden via Totteridge.
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Post by MetrolineGA1511 on Jun 8, 2024 4:59:13 GMT
Thank you. One wonders if Go-Ahead may try and win the 40 when it next comes up for renewal, to create a through Oxford - Thame - High Wycombe route? Would there be much call for such a through route? The 275 between Oxford and High Wycombe via Chinnor has long been sparse (latterly four return journeys) and only positioning journeys now operate between High Wycombe and Chinnor. There is an alternative rail link, and certain Oxford Tube journeys now serve High Wycombe Coachway at Handy Cross. I was hoping there would still be a through route from High Wycombe to Oxford, especially for when the Stagecoach electrics are in service in Oxford.
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Post by wirewiper on Jun 8, 2024 6:32:27 GMT
Would there be much call for such a through route? The 275 between Oxford and High Wycombe via Chinnor has long been sparse (latterly four return journeys) and only positioning journeys now operate between High Wycombe and Chinnor. There is an alternative rail link, and certain Oxford Tube journeys now serve High Wycombe Coachway at Handy Cross. Wycombe will benefit from one bus company; far too many routes that could be merged into one. For example the 3/13/41 could be merged into one route to create a direct link between Castlefield and Great Missenden via Totteridge. The 3 and 13 will be merging anyway (the new Carousel 33 route will be Totteridge-Desborough Castle). I'd leave the 41 alone, since its extension to Amersham Carousel has done well to build sufficient patronage to justify an hourly service.
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Post by wirewiper on Jun 14, 2024 17:54:35 GMT
From 1st July Oxford Bus will operate a revised timetable on route 400 (Oxford Rail Station - Thornhill Park & Ride - Wheatley). This coincides with the closure of Brookes University's Wheatley Campus at the end of the academic year. From the same date, Oxford bus will introduce its new route 280 between Oxford (Speedwell Street), Wheatley and Thame which will interwork as far as possible with the 400. On Sundays, route 400 will be extended to Thame as route 280 will not operate on Sundays. Night journeys will operate until around 03.00 on Friday and Saturday nights. The separate 400 between Oxford Osney Island and Harcourt Hill will continue to operate during the closure of Botley Road by the Rail Station. The road is expected to remain closed until the end of October. www.oxfordbus.co.uk/service-changes-1st-july-2024
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Post by wirewiper on Jun 18, 2024 16:59:10 GMT
Carousel is to hold what it call a "Fast Track Recruitment Day" on Sunday 2nd June, it will take place from 10.00 to 16.00 at the Holiday Inn, Handy Cross (by Junction 4 of the M40 motorway). A free shuttle bus will run half-hourly from and to High Wycombe. Bookings are preferred, although walk-ins will be accepted. When Bluestar did this in Southampton in 2023, they gave all First Bus staff who applied a contract start date of 19th February - the day they took over the services. This helped stabilise the staff situation by encouraging staff to stay with their existing employer until the changeover date, knowing they had a guaranteed job with their new employer. Although Arriva is not mentioned explicitly, I would expect similar to happen here. www.carouselbuses.co.uk/bus-driver-recruitment-day-2nd-June-2024 A second Recruitment Day is being held at the Holiday Inn, Handy Cross on Sunday 7th July between 10.00 and 14.00 - this seems to be aimed more at general recruitment although the advert does state: "We understand this is a challenging time, and we'd love to hear from impacted drivers, engineers and supervisors seeking a new, secure position." www.carouselbuses.co.uk/bus-driver-recruitment-day-0
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Post by busoccultation on Jun 21, 2024 18:12:12 GMT
There is now some news as to which extra buses Carousel are acquiring for the replacement Arriva routes out of High Wycombe area, these include 8 ex National Express West Midlands 09reg Enviro 400's that came off lease after they got replaced by the new electrics out of Perry Barr few weeks ago, 9 former Xplore Dundee 61reg B7RLE Eclipses all of which were new while under National Express and 12 68reg Enviro 200 MMC's acquired from First Glasgow that was already mentioned on this thread.
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Post by wirewiper on Jun 26, 2024 7:43:14 GMT
It is confirmed that Carousel will be operating from Arriva's current base at Cressex Industrial Estate, in addition to its existing premises in High Wycombe.
The new Licence Authorisation will be for 40 vehicles at Cressex, and 90 in the overall Carousel fleet.
PF1000671 SN CAROUSEL BUSES LTD Director(s): LUKE MARION, PAUL RAYMOND HENNIGAN, MARTIN DEAN, NEIL BUTLER COWLEY HOUSE, WATLINGTON ROAD, COWLEY, OXFORD, OX4 6GA New operating centre: ARRIVA THE SHIRES LTD, LINCOLN ROAD, CRESSEX BUSINESS PARK, HIGH WYCOMBE, HP12 3RH New authorisation at this operating centre will be: 40 vehicle(s) New licence authorisation will be 90 vehicle(s)
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Post by wirewiper on Jun 28, 2024 18:06:37 GMT
From 1st July Oxford Bus will operate a revised timetable on route 400 (Oxford Rail Station - Thornhill Park & Ride - Wheatley). This coincides with the closure of Brookes University's Wheatley Campus at the end of the academic year. From the same date, Oxford bus will introduce its new route 280 between Oxford (Speedwell Street), Wheatley and Thame which will interwork as far as possible with the 400. On Sundays, route 400 will be extended to Thame as route 280 will not operate on Sundays. Night journeys will operate until around 03.00 on Friday and Saturday nights. The separate 400 between Oxford Osney Island and Harcourt Hill will continue to operate during the closure of Botley Road by the Rail Station. The road is expected to remain closed until the end of October. www.oxfordbus.co.uk/service-changes-1st-july-2024Wright Streetdecks 651-654 are to be cascaded for the 280 and are being repainted in a dedicated blue route-branded livery. Oxford Bus will continue to use diesel vehicles on routes which operate out of the Oxford Smartzone area, including 11, 35, 46, 108 and X1. Other Streetdecks to be cascaded to Thames travel for routes X2 and X3 will gain a revised branded livery. The five X1-branded Streetdecks 670-674 are remaining unchanged for now, as Oxford Bus is looking at options for the future development of the service. The service currently has a PVR of six but there are no plans to brand an additional vehicle.
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Post by MetrolineGA1511 on Jun 29, 2024 7:44:58 GMT
There is now some news as to which extra buses Carousel are acquiring for the replacement Arriva routes out of High Wycombe area, these include 8 ex National Express West Midlands 09reg Enviro 400's that came off lease after they got replaced by the new electrics out of Perry Barr few weeks ago, 9 former Xplore Dundee 61reg B7RLE Eclipses all of which were new while under National Express and 12 68reg Enviro 200 MMC's acquired from First Glasgow that was already mentioned on this thread.
So, GA are buying ex-National Express and First vehicles for ex-Arriva routes. I hope they are refurbished prior to entering service, although I sincerely doubt the MMCs will at this stage, being just 5 years ago. I did ride one in Glasgow, I think route 34, on Easter Saturday 2019.
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Post by wirewiper on Jul 18, 2024 7:56:41 GMT
The Oxford Bus website now has details for the MyBus Oxfordshire multi-operator ticket, this is valid on all local bus services within Oxfordshire. It is priced at £6.50 per day and £25 per week, reducing to £3.50/£14.50 for young people age 5-18 inclusive. The week ticket can only be bought online or via the Oxford Bus app, but the day ticket can be bought on the bus. Thames Travel also accepts MyBus tickets to/from Newbury on route X34 and Reading on route X40, but route 143 is excluded as it only has two stops within Oxfordshire. Carousel accepts MyBus tickets throughout route 275 between High Wycombe and Oxford, and will also accept them throughout routes 800 and 850 between High Wycombe and Reading when Carousel takes these routes over from 28th July. www.oxfordbus.co.uk/mybus-oxfordshire
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Post by wirewiper on Jul 19, 2024 8:14:59 GMT
To coincide with Arriva's departure, the stands at High Wycombe Bus Station will be reallocated from Sunday 28th July. First X74 (Slough) will use stand 1. Carousel services will use stands 2-14, with services along the same or similar corridors grouped together as much as possible. Redline and other independents will uses stands 15-17 and stand 18 will be for the Pick-Me-Up DRT. www.carouselbuses.co.uk/high-wycombe-bay-changes-28th-july-2024
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Post by M1199 on Jul 25, 2024 13:55:59 GMT
Had a quick drive past both Carousels Hugheden depot and Arriva’s Cressex depot earlier this afternoon. Still no sign of anything Carousel over at Cressex, however at Hughenden, I did spot 2 Ensignbus e200 MMC’s, one of which was 710, YY18THZ, the other had its rear end sticking out the unit and I couldn’t get the reg.
At the rear of the overflow yard, I did notice preserved Citaro, MB51 CB51BUS looking splendid in her Link livery though!
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Post by mark on Jul 25, 2024 15:19:43 GMT
Had a quick drive past both Carousels Hugheden depot and Arriva’s Cressex depot earlier this afternoon. Still no sign of anything Carousel over at Cressex, however at Hughenden, I did spot 2 Ensignbus e200 MMC’s, one of which was 710, YY18THZ, the other had its rear end sticking out the unit and I couldn’t get the reg. At the rear of the overflow yard, I did notice preserved Citaro, MB51 CB51BUS looking splendid in her Link livery though! Carousel won’t be using Cressex - they have acquired (probably leasing) the site next door to the current depot.
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